Device for fastening passenger seats on a seat track break in an aircraft

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an adapter device D, T that, when installed on the division/break area of fixation tracks in an aircraft, it allows installation and/or positioning of passenger&#39;s seat in that area; the device D, T is composed by a main body  1  having two portions  9, 10;  the end of the portion  9  is integrated to a part  2  having a fork shape configuring a half-opening  3;  close to the end of the portion  10  there is a pair of half-tabs  5,  one half-tab  5  symmetrically disposed in relation to the other, on each side of the body  1,  on the main body  1,  there is a pair of semi-circular tabs  4;  on the portion  10,  between the pairs of half-tabs  5  and tabs  4,  there is one more pair of tabs,  4 ′, one tab  4 ′ symmetrically disposed in relation to the other, on each side of the body  1;  there is two threaded pass-through holes  11, 11 ′ located on the portion  10;  disc parts  6, 6 ′ which are actually screws heads are disposed on the portion  10,  said screws being installed in the threaded holes  11, 11 ′. Considering the standardization of seats tracks and fasteners existent in the aeronautical industry, the adapting devices D and T can be used with several types of passengers&#39; seats and tracks, and said devices can be adapted without adversely modifying installation characteristics; as the use of the adapting devices D and T is very simple, thus not demanding any modification or disassembly of the seats and, this way, it does not affect the pre-qualification of such seats.

The present invention refers to a device that, when installed on the division/break area of fixation tracks in an aircraft, allows the installation and/or positioning or passenger's seat in that area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Passengers' seats are usually installed fixedly on tracks inside the fuselage. Due assembly, maintenance, and handling practice reasons, these tracks are divided in segments installed adjacently in a same alignment, but usually without a break/division on the interface among them. As there is not break/division between these adjacent track segments, there is not structural continuity providing proper and enough characteristics of resistance and load distribution for installation of seats on these breaks/divisions.

Today, when doing the arrangement of aircrafts interiors, the positioning of the passengers' seats is made so that the fixation point of the chair to the structure doesn't coincide with any track division/break existent along the passengers' compartment. This seats installation limitation does not allow many optimal, ideal interiors arrangements; in other words, it doesn't fully assist to the needs of the operators. searching an alternative for this undesired restriction, a device guaranteeing a larger flexibility in the installation of the passengers' seats along the aircraft was developed. It represents an innovation in the aeronautical industry, once it is not known something similar that has been developed by the seats manufacturers or aircrafts industries.

This device, when installed in the track break/divisions, provides proper and enough resistance characteristics and load distribution turning possible the installation of seats on these breaks/divisions for assisting to the structural solicitations originated in all conditions or operation of aircrafts, including flight and soil loads, and emergency landings (impacts) If said device has fixation tabs integrated into your body, such as an single piece, then this constitutes a greater safety for fixation to the track.

In the related art, other fixation devices for passengers' seats are already known, especially those proposed in the patents U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,357, U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,588, U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,837, U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,726 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,888; however, such devices are not destined for installation in the break/division area of fixation tracks in an aircraft, thus impeding installation and/or positioning of passenger's seat in that place.

So, the patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,357 presents a device for fixation of a galley wall or bulkhead to the aircraft that substantially differs from the mechanical fixation device for seats of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,357 shows an attachment plate which have attachment feet/anchor fastened through screws, wherein an attachment box is attached to the attachment plate. However, as the screws are the elements fastening the attachment feet/anchor, said screws, due the vibration of the aircraft in flight, can become loose, not offering safety for use.

The patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,037 presents a support comprising a metal body having a wall which projects from a flat base, with tabs for fixation to the track, yet comprising a leg holding section and a yoke mounting section, both for fixation of the seat leg. Therefore, the mentioned support constitutes a complex piece composed by several parts integrated into the metal body, and it does not allow installation/adaptation of several different types of seat legs, thus lacking versatility in use.

The patents U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,726 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,888, like U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,837, also have its supports in single piece, having a body integrated to a fixation section of the scat leg and to tabs for fixation to the track. The above comments are also valid here, with U.S. Pat. No. 5,083,726 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,888 having lack of use versatility, impeding the installation/adaptation of several types of seat to said supports.

So, it is very clear that none of the devices from the above cited patents can allow its supports to be installed on the division/break area of fixation tracks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, aircrafts are provided with four tracks for fastening the passenger' seats:

-   -   left and right sidewall seat tracks;     -   central tracks of the left and right floor;

that are located in a typical cross-section of an aircraft that is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. The passenger's seat is fastened and/or installed through four points, as can be observed in FIG. 2.

The base of the seat is fastened to the aircraft track through an aluminum structure, which is the seat foot. The rear foot is inserted on the track through two buttons and through a fixing pin. The front foot is inserted through a simple fitting and fixed through a fixing nut. Details of the fixation points of the seat can be seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

The passengers' seats should obey the minimum airworthy requirements defined by FAR 23 and 25 (Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 23 and Part 25) and RBHA part 23 and part 25 (Regulamento Brasileiro de Homologacao Aeronautica—Brazilian Regulations for Aeronautical Approval), therefore the seat should be submitted to a number of qualification tests.

It is known that if the scat is installed in such way that at least one fixation point coincides with the track division/break, said seat does not fulfill all structural requirements. The device installed in the division of the track to make possible the installation of the foot of the seat in that place it will guarantee the approval of the seat (together with the tracks and the adaptation device) in agreement with FAR 23 and 25 and RBHA 23 and 25.

So, it is an object of the invention to supply a simple and efficient device capable to fasten the feet of seats on divisions/breaks of fixation tracks on the floor of aircrafts, providing safety and assisting the norms FAR 23 and 25 and RBHA 23 and 25.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the device for installation of passenger's seat of the present invention, the enclosed drawings are supplied, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of an aircraft, illustrating the location of the fixation tracks;

FIG. 2 are overall views of the seat fastening points;

FIG. 3 are views illustrating details of the fixation point of the seat;

FIG. 4 are views that illustrate details of the rear fixation point of the seat;

FIG. 5 are views showing the front fixation point in details;

FIG. 6 are views illustrating details of the division/break area of tracks;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the front adapter device of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the front adapter device of the invention, and FIG. 8B is a top view of the same device;

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are views that illustrate the assembly sequence of the front foot of the seat in the device of the invention;

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the rear adapter device of the present invention, and FIG. 10B is also a perspective view but showing a disc part added to the device; and

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are views illustrating the assembly of the rear foot of the seat in the device of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The adapter device of the present invention is a part fastened to the track by a lock on the track division/break area. It can be assembled either on the lateral seat track or on the floor track of the aircraft. FIG. 6 illustrates details of the tracks in the area of the divisions/breaks.

The shape of the adapter device of the present invention was designed so that it would perfectly fit to the track, and said device is positioned and flocked therein by a screw having a special format. There is two types of adapter devices in the present invention, a device D destined to the front foot of the seat, as can be seen in FIGS. 7, 8A and 8B, and a device T for the rear foot of the seat, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Both devices D, T have very similar formats, just with a few dimensional differences that will be specified below.

FIG. 7 shows the device D constituted by a part composed by a rectangular main body 1 having two portions 9, 10; the portion 9 has a rectangular cross-section larger than the cross-section (also rectangular) of the portion 10; on the main body 1, the portions 9, 10 are joined by ramp step 8. The end of the portion 9 is integrated to a semi-circular part 2 having a fork shape configuring a semi-circular half-opening 3; close to the end of the portion 10 there is a pair of half-tabs 5 having semi-circular shape, one half-tab 5 symmetrically disposed in relation to the other, on each side of the body 1; close to the area where the portions 9, 10 are joined of the main body 1, there is a pair of semi-circular tabs 4, one tab 4 symmetrically disposed in relation to the other on each side of the body 1; in the intermediate position of the portion 10, between the pairs of half-tabs 5 and tabs 4, there is one more pair of tabs, 4′, one tab 4′ symmetrically disposed in relation to the other, on each side of the body 1. The tabs 4, 4′ and half-tabs 5 are aligned in the same plan, such a plan being defined here as horizontal plan, so that the the part 2 and half-opening 3 are parallel to said horizontal plan. Above the portion 10 of the body 1, there is two disc parts 6, 6′ each one having a central cross cavity 7, each part 6, 6′ being respectively located between the pairs of tabs 4, 4′ and half-tabs 5 parallel to the horizontal plan, said parts 6, 6∝0 being disposed, therefore, above the pairs of tabs 4, 4′ and half-tabs 5.

FIGS. 8A and 8B respectively present a perspective view and a top view of the front adapter device D; in these figures it is noticed the absence of the disc parts 6, 6′, they were removed to reveal the existence of threaded pass-through holes 11, 11′ located on the portion 10 between the pairs of tabs 4, 4′ and half-tabs 5. The disc parts 6, 6′ are actually screws heads and these screws are, each one, respectively installed in the threaded holes 11, 11′ of the device D, wherein a special screwdriver with a cross-shaped tip (Philips type) is used into each cross cavity 7. The function of the parts 6, 6′ is to provide locking for the whole device (and therefore for the seat fastening) on the track, in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft; this is done by threading said screws in the holes 11, 11′.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C are showing views illustrating the assembly sequence of the front foot of the seat in the device D of the invention. When the front foot of the seat is set up coinciding with a division/break of the track, two adapting devices D are necessary, one symmetrically disposed in relation to the other, according to FIG. 9A, wherein the semi-circular part 2 of a device D touches the semi-circular part 2 of another device D, so that both half-openings 3 of the two devices D are joined to form a circular opening involving a pin P that is part of the foot of the seat.

FIG. 9B represents the assemblage of FIG. 9A fitted on a track having respective typical supporting structure (the adjacent front track was omitted in this figure for better clarity). FIG. 9C shows the same as FIG. 9B, but an adjacent track and a typical armchair (passenger seat) leg were added, wherein the pin P is fastened composing the front foot of the seat. These illustrations are just schematic descriptions, for didactic purpose; however, it is noticed that there is not need of any disassembly or modification of the seat/armchair for installation on tracks division/break area, if the adapting device D of the present invention is utilized.

According to FIGS. 9A, B and C, the assembly sequence consists in:

1. position and fasten the rear portion of the adapter device D on the track (the portion that will be under the leg of the seat);

2. install the seat positioning it appropriately;

3. position and fasten the rear portion of the adapter device D on the track (the portion that will be exposed, out of the leg or the seat).

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of the rear adapter device T of the present invention, which is very similar to the device D being composed by the same parts and portions indicated by the numbers 1 to 11; the only exceptions are the geometric formats of the part 2 and half-opening 3, wherein instead of a semi-circular shape, they have a rectangular-round format, and, the tabs 4 have a more prolonged rectangular shape that extends to the part 2.

In FIG. 10A the disc parts 6, 6′ were removed to allow visualization of the threaded pass-through holes 11, 11′, while in FIG. 10B the disc parts 6, 6′ appear installed in place. The function of these pieces 6, 6′ is the same above mentioned, thus providing locking for the whole device T on the track, in the longitudinal direction of the aircraft.

FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C are views that illustrate the assembly of the rear foot of the seat in the device T. FIG. 11A shows the adapting device T installed on a track (in this figure, the typical support structure of the track was included, with the adjacent rear track omitted for better clarity), wherein the assembly of the rear foot of the seat requires only one adapter T. FIG. 11B shows the assemblage of FIG. 11A with addition of the rear foot of the seat. FIG. 11C illustrates the whole assemblage of FIG. 11B with addition of the adjacent rear track and its typical support structure, and also the armchair (seat) leg. These illustrations are also just schematic descriptions, for didactic purpose, and it is noticed that no disassembly or modification of the seat/armchair for installation on tracks division/break area is required, if the adapting device T of the present invention is utilized.

As already mentioned, the device T for the rear foot of the seat presents a different format in relation to the device D, in the foot fitting area formed by the part 2 and half-opening 3, which have a rectangular-round shape. However, the assembly principle follows the same pattern used in the device D for the front foot.

Also as already mentioned, instead of two devices, the fixation of the rear foot of the seat requires just one only adapting device T, and the assembly sequence consists in;

1. position and fasten the rear adapter device T on the track;

2. install the seat appropriately positioning the rear foot in the adapter device T.

The advantages of the adapter devices D and T of the present invention are already very clear in comparison to the known state of art devices, wherein:

1) the adapter devices D and T allow installation of seats on the division/break area of fixation tracks;

2) considering the standardization of seats tracks and fasteners existent in the aeronautical industry, the adapting devices D and T can be used with several types of passengers' seats and tracks, and said devices can be adapted without adversely modifying installation characteristics;

3) as the use of the adapting devices D and T is very simple, thus not demanding any modification or disassembly of the seats and, this way, it does not affect the pre-qualification of such seats.

Instead of using only two parts 6, 6′ and respective screws, alternatively the present invention can present just only one hole 11 for only one part 6 with screw, for fixation of devices D, T to the track (or, for fixation to the division/break area of tracks); in another variation of the invention, said devices may have a larger number of holes 11, 11′ allowing that more than two pieces 6, 6′ with screws perform the function of fixation. Furthermore, other fixation components different from said parts 6, 6′ with screws can also be used, such as cotters, key lockers, rivets, etc.

An example of a favorite materialization of the invention was described, and it should be understood that the scope of the present invention comprises other possible variations, so it is limited only by the revindications attached, including the possible equivalences. 

1) A device for fastening passenger seats on a seat track break in an aircraft, wherein an adapter device D, T is a part having fastening means to the track, on the division/break area of two track segments, and said device can be assembled either on the lateral seat track or on the floor track of the aircraft: such adapter D, T is composed by a main body 1 constituted by portions 9, 10 joined each other, and the end of the portion 9 is integrated to a part 2 having a fork shape configuring a half-opening 3; close to the end of the portion 10 there is at least a pair of half-tabs 5, and the rest of main body 1 have at least a pair of tabs 4, 4′. 2) The device of claim 1, wherein the fixation means of the device D, T to the track comprise at least a part 6 joined to a screw which is installed in a threaded pass-through hole 11 on the main body 1; alternatively, other fixation components different from said part 6 with screw can be used, such as cotters, key lockers, rivets, and others, 3) The device of claims 1 or 2, wherein the front adapter device D has its fork shape part 2 in a semi-circular format configuring the half-opening 3 also with a semi-circular format; the rear adapter device T is similar to the front device D but the only exceptions are the geometric formats of the part 2 and half-opening 3, wherein instead of a semi-circular shape, they have a rectangular-round format, and, the tabs 4 have a more prolonged rectangular shape that extends to the part
 2. 4) The device of claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein when the front foot of the seat is set up coinciding with a division/break of the track, two adapting devices D are necessary, one symmetrically disposed in relation to the other, wherein the semi-circular part 2 of a device D touches the semi-circular part 2 of another device D, so that both half-openings 3 of the two devices D are joined to form a circular opening involving a pin P that is part of the foot of the seat. 5) The device of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the assembly sequence of the front foot of the seat in the device D consists in:
 1. position and fasten the rear portion of the adapter device D on the track (the portion that will be under the leg of the seat);
 2. install the seat positioning it appropriately;
 3. position and fasten the rear portion of the adapter device D on the track (the portion that will be exposed, out of the leg of the seat). 6) The device of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein the assembly of the rear foot of the seat requires one only adapter T, wherein the assembly sequence consists in:
 1. position and fasten the rear adapter device T is on the track;
 2. install the seat appropriately positioning the rear foot in the adapter device T; and, the assembly principle follows the same pattern used for the device D for the front foot. 7) The device of claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherein considering the standardization of seats tracks and fasteners existent in the aeronautical industry, the adapting devices D and T can be used with several types of passengers' seats and tracks, and said devices can be adapted without adversely modifying installation characteristics; as the use of the adapting devices D and T is very simple, thus not demanding any modification or disassembly of the seats and, this way, it does not affect the pre-qualification of such seats. 